Which products and versions are affected by CVE-2021-38540?

Affected: Airflow (Apache) versions >= 2.0.0; Apache Airflow (pypi) versions >= 2.0.0, >= Apache Airflow. The full list is in the CVE brief.

Is CVE-2021-38540 being exploited in the wild?

It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.

Is CVE-2021-38540 in the CISA KEV catalog?

No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Is there a public exploit for CVE-2021-38540?

No public exploit code is known.

Is there a fix for CVE-2021-38540?

Fixed versions are available, including Airflow 2.1.3, Apache Airflow 2.1.3.

How urgently should CVE-2021-38540 be patched?

Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.

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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2021-38540

Critical

Missing Authentication for Critical Function in Apache Airflow

Published May 24, 2022 · Updated Sep 8, 2026 · Also known as BIT-airflow-2021-38540, GHSA-h88f-r7cw-8fv3, PYSEC-2021-326

Key Facts

Patch immediately

CVE-2021-38540 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.3 v4) affecting Airflow (Apache), Apache Airflow (pypi).
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. No public exploit code is known.
EPSS estimates a 81% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
Fixed versions are available, including Airflow 2.1.3, Apache Airflow 2.1.3.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.

CVSS v4

9.3

CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

81%

Higher than 99.6% of all scored CVEs

Exploited in the wild

No known

Not in a known-exploited catalog

Public exploit code

None known

Get the full CVE-2021-38540 brief as a PDF

Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.

Description

The variable import endpoint was not protected by authentication in Airflow >=2.0.0, =2.0.0, <2.1.3.

Affected Products

4 affected entries in total

Product	Affected versions	Fixed in
AirflowApache	>= 2.0.0	2.1.3
Apache Airflowpypi	>= 2.0.0, >= Apache Airflow	2.1.3

Patched Releases

Airflow

2.1.3

Apache Airflow

2.1.3

Timeline

Publicly disclosed
May 24, 2022
Last updated
Sep 8, 2026

Weakness Type

CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management
CWE-306 Missing Authentication for Critical Function

References

3 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

The variable import endpoint was not protected by authentication in Airflow >=2.0.0, =2.0.0, <2.1.3.
Affected: Airflow (Apache) versions >= 2.0.0; Apache Airflow (pypi) versions >= 2.0.0, >= Apache Airflow. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No public exploit code is known.
Fixed versions are available, including Airflow 2.1.3, Apache Airflow 2.1.3.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.

Is CVE-2021-38540 Running On Your Attack Surface?

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